Carrier

ABSTRACT

A rectangular base body of a load support of a carrier has an adjacent pair of first lateral sides, and an adjacent pair of second lateral sides respectively connected to the first lateral sides. Each first lateral side is formed with inwardly extending first dovetail recesses spaced apart from each other, and first male dovetail portions, each of which is defined by an adjacent pair of the first dovetail recesses. Each second lateral side is formed with second male dovetail portions spaced apart from each other, shaped to correspond with the first dovetail recesses, and disposed on the second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of the first dovetail recesses in the first lateral sides, and second dovetail recesses, each of which is defined by an adjacent pair of the second male dovetail portions, disposed at locations corresponding to those of the first male dovetail portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a carrier, more particularly to a modular carrier that is easy to assemble and that has superior load-bearing capacity.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional modular carrier 1 that includes five load supports 11. Each load support 11 has a rectangular plate body 10, and a plurality of wheels (not shown) mounted on a bottom side of the plate body 10. The plate body 10 has opposite longer first and second lateral sides 111, 112, and opposite shorter third and fourth lateral sides 113, 114 interconnecting the first and second lateral sides 111, 112. The first lateral side 111 is formed with three male dovetail portions 115 that are spaced apart from each other. The second lateral side 112 is formed with three dovetail recesses 116 that are spaced apart from each other. The dovetail recesses 116 are shaped to correspond with the male dovetail portions 115, and are disposed in the second lateral side 112 at locations corresponding to those of the male dovetail portions 115 on the first lateral side 111. The third lateral side 113 is formed with a male dovetail portion 115. The fourth lateral side 114 is formed with a dovetail recesses 116.

During assembly, the male dovetail portions 115 on the third lateral sides 113 of the plate bodies 10 of first to third ones of the load supports 11 interlock respectively with the dovetail recesses 116 in the second lateral side 112 of the plate body 10 of a fourth one of the load supports 11, and the dovetail recesses 116 in the fourth lateral sides 114 of the plate bodies 10 of the first to third ones of the load supports 11 interlock respectively with the male dovetail portions 115 on the first lateral side 111 of the plate body 10 of a fifth one of the load supports 11. Adjacent ones of the first to third load supports 11 have a spacing therebetween such that the load-bearing capacity of the conventional modular carrier is relatively weak.

Referring to FIG. 2, another modular carrier 2, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,224, includes four load supports 21. Each load support 21 includes a plate body 20 that has an adjacent pair of first lateral sides 211, and an adjacent pair of second lateral sides 212 that are respectively connected to the first lateral sides 211. Each first lateral side 211 is formed with a dovetail tongue 213. Each second lateral side 212 is formed with a dovetail recess 214. However, a neck portion 215 is formed between the dovetail recesses 214 in the second lateral sides 212, and has a relatively weak structural strength. Furthermore, adjacent ones of the load supports 21 are assembled to each other by engagement between only a single pair of the dovetail tongue 213 and the dovetail recess 214. Therefore, the conventional modular carrier 2 cannot be securely assembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a modular carrier that is easy to assemble and that has superior load-bearing capacity.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a carrier comprises a load support that includes:

a rectangular base body having top and bottom sides, an adjacent pair of first lateral sides that extend between the top and bottom sides, and an adjacent pair of second lateral sides that extend between the top and bottom sides and that are respectively connected to the first lateral sides;

each of the first lateral sides being formed with a plurality of first dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of the first dovetail recesses extending inwardly from a corresponding one of the first lateral sides and being open at the top and bottom sides of the base body, each of the first lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of first male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, each of the first male dovetail portions being defined by an adjacent pair of the first dovetail recesses on the corresponding one of the first lateral sides, each of the first dovetail recesses being gradually enlarged in width inwardly of the corresponding one of the first lateral sides and being gradually reduced in width from the top side to the bottom side of the base body, each of the first male dovetail portions being a mirror image of one of the first dovetail recesses, being gradually reduced in width inwardly of the corresponding one of the first lateral sides, and being gradually enlarged in width from the top side to the bottom side of the base body;

each of the second lateral sides being formed with a plurality of second male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, the second male dovetail portions being shaped to correspond with the first dovetail recesses and being disposed on the second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of the first dovetail recesses in the first lateral sides, each of the second lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of second dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of the second dovetail recesses being defined by an adjacent pair of the second male dovetail portions and being open at the top and bottom sides of the base body, the second dovetail recesses being shaped to correspond with the first male dovetail portions and being disposed at the second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of the first male dovetail portions on the first lateral sides.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a modular carrier comprises a plurality of load supports, each of which includes:

a rectangular base body having top and bottom sides, an adjacent pair of first lateral sides that extend between the top and bottom sides, and an adjacent pair of second lateral sides that extend between the top and bottom sides and that are respectively connected to the first lateral sides;

each of the first lateral sides being formed with a plurality of first dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of the first dovetail recesses extending inwardly from a corresponding one of the first lateral sides and being open at the top and bottom sides of the base body, each of the first lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of first male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, each of the first male dovetail portions being defined by an adjacent pair of the first dovetail recesses on the corresponding one of the first lateral sides, each of the first dovetail recesses being gradually enlarged in width inwardly of the corresponding one of the first lateral sides and being gradually reduced in width from the topside to the bottom side of the base body, each of the first male dovetail portions being a mirror image of one of the first dovetail recesses, being gradually reduced in width inwardly of the corresponding one of the first lateral sides, and being gradually enlarged in width from the top side to the bottom side of the base body;

each of the second lateral sides being formed with a plurality of second male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, the second male dovetail portions being shaped to correspond with the first dovetail recesses and being disposed on the second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of the first dovetail recesses in the first lateral sides, each of the second lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of second dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of the second dovetail recesses being defined by an adjacent pair of the second male dovetail portions and being open at the top and bottom sides of the base body, the second dovetail recesses being shaped to correspond with the first male dovetail portions and being disposed at the second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of the first male dovetail portions on the first lateral sides;

the first dovetail recesses and the first male dovetail portions on one of the first lateral sides of the base body of one of the load supports interlocking removably and respectively with the second male dovetail portions and the second dovetail recesses on one of the second lateral sides of the base body of an adjacent one of the load supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a conventional carrier;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of another conventional carrier;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded, schematic top view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded, fragmentary perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the first preferred embodiment in a state of use;

FIG. 8 is a partly exploded, perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to this invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the second preferred embodiment, taken along line X-X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing the third preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to this invention;

FIG. 12 is an partly exploded, perspective view showing the fourth preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to this invention; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of the fourth preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the first preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to the present invention is shown to comprise a plurality of load supports 3 (two load supports 3 are used in this embodiment). Each of the load supports 3 includes a rectangular base body 4.

The base body 4 has top and bottom sides 47, 48, an adjacent pair of first lateral sides 41 that extend between the top and bottom sides 47, 48, and an adjacent pair of second lateral sides 42 that extend between the top and bottom sides 47, 48 and that are respectively connected to the first lateral sides 41.

Each of the first lateral sides 41 is formed with a plurality of first dovetail recesses 411 that are spaced apart from each other. Each of the first dovetail recesses 411 extends inwardly from a corresponding one of the first lateral sides 41, and is open at the top and bottom sides 47, 48 of the base body 4, as best shown in FIG. 4. Each of the first lateral sides 41 is further formed with a plurality of first male dovetail portions 412 that are spaced apart from each other. Each of the first male dovetail portions 412 is defined by an adjacent pair of the first dovetail recesses 411 on the corresponding one of the first lateral sides 41. Each of the first dovetail recesses 411 is gradually enlarged in width inwardly of the corresponding one of the first lateral sides 41, as best shown in FIG. 4, and is gradually reduced in width from the top side 47 to the bottom side 48 of the base body 4, as best shown in FIG. 6. Each of the first male dovetail portions 412 is a mirror image of one of the first dovetail recesses 411, is gradually reduced in width inwardly of the corresponding one of the first lateral sides 41, as best shown in FIG. 4, and is gradually enlarged in width from the top side 47 to the bottom side 48 of the base body 4, as best shown in FIG. 6.

Each of the second lateral sides 42 is formed with a plurality of second male dovetail portions 421 that are spaced apart from each other. The second male dovetail portions 421 are shaped to correspond with the first dovetail recesses 411, and are disposed on the second lateral sides 42 at locations corresponding to those of the first dovetail recesses 411 in the first lateral sides 41, as best shown in FIG. 4. Each of the second lateral sides 42 is further formed with a plurality of second dovetail recesses 422 that are spaced apart from each other. Each of the second dovetail recesses 422 is defined by an adjacent pair of the second male dovetail portions 421, and is open at the top and bottom sides 47, 48 of the base body 4, as best shown in FIG. 3. The second dovetail recesses 422 are shaped to correspond with the first male dovetail portions 412, and are disposed at the second lateral sides 42 at locations corresponding to those of the first male dovetail portions 412 on the first lateral sides 41.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the base body 4 has four corner portions 43 disposed respectively at junctions of the first and second lateral sides 41, 42. In this embodiment, a first one of the corner portions 43 is a recessed portion that extends from an endmost one of the first male dovetail portions 412 on one of the first lateral sides 41 to an endmost one of the first male dovetail portions 412 on the other one of the first lateral sides 41. A second one of the corner portions 43 is a recessed portion that extends from an endmost one of the second male dovetail portions 421 on one of the second lateral sides 42 to an endmost one of the second male dovetail portions 421 on the other one of the second lateral sides 42. Each of third and fourth ones of the corner portions 43 is a recessed portion that extends from another endmost one of the first male dovetail portions 412 on one of the first lateral sides 41 to another endmost one of the second male dovetail portions 421 on one of the second lateral sides 42. Furthermore, the base body 4 has a central opening 44 formed through the top and bottom sides 47, 48, and is formed with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 45 extending from the top side 47 to the bottom side 48, as shown in FIG. 3. During use, the central opening 44 permits mounting of an article, such as a potted plant, (not shown) therein.

In this embodiment, each of the load supports 3 further includes a plurality of wheels 5 mounted on the bottom side 48 of the base body 4. As such, the modular carrier is suitable for moving objects conveniently.

During assembly, the first dovetail recesses 411 and the first male dovetail portions 412 on one of the first lateral sides 41 of the base body 4 of one of the load supports 3 interlock removably and respectively with the second male dovetail portions 421 and the second dovetail recesses 422 on one of the second lateral sides 42 of the base body 4 of an adjacent one of the load supports 3. In particular, the first male dovetail portions 412 are moved up into the corresponding second dovetail recesses 422, whereas the second male dovetail portions 421 are moved down into the corresponding first dovetail recesses 411.

FIG. 7 illustrates the first preferred embodiment in a state of use. In this embodiment, the modular carrier includes four load supports 3, wherein an adjacent pair of first and second ones of the load supports 3 are assembled to each other in the manner shown in FIG. 4, the second male dovetail portions 421 and the second dovetail recesses 422 on one second lateral side 42 of the base body 4 of a third one of the load supports 3 interlock respectively with a part of the first dovetail recesses 411 and the first male dovetail portions 412 in the first lateral sides 41 of the base bodies 4 of the first and second load supports 3, and the first male dovetail portions 412 and the first dovetail recesses 411 in one first lateral side 41 of the base body 4 of a fourth one of the load supports 3 interlock respectively with a part of the second dovetail recesses 422 and the second male dovetail portions 421 on the second lateral sides 42 of the base bodies 4 of the first and second load supports 3. It is noted that a width formed between the first corner portion 43 of the base body 4 of the first one of the load supports 3 and an adjacent one of the third and fourth corner portions 43 of the base body 4 of the second one of the load supports 3 is substantially equal to that of one second male dovetail portion 421, and that a width formed between the second corner portion 43 of the base body 4 of the second one of the load supports 3 and an adjacent one of the third and fourth corner portions 43 of the base body 4 of the first one of the load supports 3 is substantially equal to a sum of those of one first dovetail recess 411 and two first male dovetail portions 412.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate the second preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the modular carrier includes four load supports 4, a stacking plate 6, and a plurality of positioning pins 7.

The four load supports 3 are assembled to each other in the manner shown in FIG. 3. The base body 4 of each load support 3 has a plurality of pin holes 46 formed through the top and bottom sides 47, 48. Each of the pin holes 46 has a large-diameter upper hole portion 461, a small-diameter lower hole portion 462, and an annular shoulder 463 between the upper and lower hole portions 461, 462. In this embodiment, the pin holes 46 are arranged proximate to the first and second lateral sides 41, 42 of the base body 4. Adjacent ones of the pin holes 46 have a uniform spacing therebetween.

The stacking plate 6 is stacked on adjacent ones of the load supports 3. In this embodiment, the stacking plate 6 has a construction identical to that of the load supports 3. As such, the stacking plate 6 is also formed with the pin holes 66.

Each of the positioning pins 7 has a stop portion 71 that is disposed on the shoulder 463 of a respective one of the pin holes 46, an insert portion 72 that extends from the top portion 471 into the lower hole portion 462 of the respective one of the pin holes 46 in the base bodies 4 of two of the load supports 3, and a coupling portion 73 that extends from the stop portion 71 into a respective one of the pin holes 66 in the stacking plate 6 to engage removably the stacking plate 6, as shown in FIG. 10. The stacking plate 6 serves to further enhance the load-bearing capacity of the modular carrier.

FIG. 11 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the base body 4 of each load support 3 is formed with the same pin holes 46 as those in the second preferred embodiment. Each load support 3 further includes a plurality of anchor members 8 that extends respectively through the pin holes 46 into a surface 81 for fastening the base body to the surface 81.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the fourth preferred embodiment of a modular carrier according to this invention, which is a modification of the first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the modular carrier includes two load supports 3, and a riser 8.

The base body 4 of each load support 3 is formed with the same pin holes 46 as those in the second preferred embodiment.

The riser 9 has the base bodies 3 of the load supports 3 mounted removably thereon. In this embodiment, the riser 9 has a top side 91 formed with a plurality of positioning pins 92 that are inserted removably into the respective pin holes 46 in the base bodies 4 of the load supports 3.

As such, the modular carrier of the fourth preferred embodiment is suitable for use with a forklift (not shown).

To sum up, due to the arrangement of the first and second dovetail recesses 411, 422, and the first and second male dovetail portions 412, 421, the modular carrier of the present invention can be easily assembled and has superior load-bearing capacity as compared to the prior art.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A carrier comprising a load support that includes: a rectangular base body having top and bottom sides, an adjacent pair of first lateral sides that extend between said top and bottom sides, and an adjacent pair of second lateral sides that extend between said top and bottom sides and that are respectively connected to said first lateral sides; each of said first lateral sides being formed with a plurality of first dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of said first dovetail recesses extending inwardly from a corresponding one of said first lateral sides and being open at said top and bottom sides of said base body, each of said first lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of first male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, each of said first male dovetail portions being defined by an adjacent pair of said first dovetail recesses on the corresponding one of said first lateral sides, each of said first dovetail recesses being gradually enlarged in width inwardly of the corresponding one of said first lateral sides and being gradually reduced in width from said top side to said bottom side of said base body, each of said first male dovetail portions being a mirror image of one of said first dovetail recesses, being gradually reduced in width inwardly of the corresponding one of said first lateral sides, and being gradually enlarged in width from said top side to said bottom side of said base body; each of said second lateral sides being formed with a plurality of second male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, said second male dovetail portions being shaped to correspond with said first dovetail recesses and being disposed on said second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of said first dovetail recesses in said first lateral sides, each of said second lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of second dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of said second dovetail recesses being defined by an adjacent pair of said second male dovetail portions and being open at said top and bottom sides of said base body, said second dovetail recesses being shaped to correspond with said first male dovetail portions and being disposed at said second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of said first male dovetail portions on said first lateral sides.
 2. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base body has four corner portions disposed respectively at junctions of said first and second lateral sides.
 3. The carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein: a first one of said corner portions is a recessed portion that extends from an endmost one of said first male dovetail portions on one of said first lateral sides to an endmost one of said first male dovetail portions on the other of said first lateral sides; a second one of said corner portions is a recessed portion that extends from an endmost one of said second male dovetail portions on one of said second lateral sides to an endmost one of said second male dovetail portions on the other of said second lateral sides; and each of third and fourth ones of said corner portions is a recessed portion that extends from another endmost one of said first male dovetail portions on one of said first lateral sides to another endmost one of said second male dovetail portions on one of said second lateral sides.
 4. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said load support further includes a plurality of wheels mounted on said bottom side of said base body.
 5. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said load support further includes a plurality of anchor members for fastening said base body to a surface.
 6. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a riser having said base body of said load support mounted removably thereon.
 7. The carrier as claimed in claim 6, wherein said base body has a plurality of pin holes formed through said top and bottom sides, said riser having a top side formed with a plurality of positioning pins that are inserted removably into said pin holes.
 8. The carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base body has a central opening formed through said top and bottom sides.
 9. A modular carrier comprising a plurality of load supports, each of which includes: a rectangular base body having top and bottom sides, an adjacent pair of first lateral sides that extend between said top and bottom sides, and an adjacent pair of second lateral sides that extend between said top and bottom sides and that are respectively connected to said first lateral sides; each of said first lateral sides being formed with a plurality of first dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of said first dovetail recesses extending inwardly from a corresponding one of said first lateral sides and being open at said top and bottom sides of said base body, each of said first lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of first male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, each of said first male dovetail portions being defined by an adjacent pair of said first dovetail recesses on the corresponding one of said first lateral sides, each of said first dovetail recesses being gradually enlarged in width inwardly of the corresponding one of said first lateral sides and being gradually reduced in width from said top side to said bottom side of said base body, each of said first male dovetail portions being a mirror image of one of said first dovetail recesses, being gradually reduced in width inwardly of the corresponding one of said first lateral sides, and being gradually enlarged in width from said top side to said bottom side of said base body; each of said second lateral sides being formed with a plurality of second male dovetail portions that are spaced apart from each other, said second male dovetail portions being shaped to correspond with said first dovetail recesses and being disposed on said second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of said first dovetail recesses in said first lateral sides, each of said second lateral sides being further formed with a plurality of second dovetail recesses that are spaced apart from each other, each of said second dovetail recesses being defined by an adjacent pair of said second male dovetail portions and being open at said top and bottom sides of said base body, said second dovetail recesses being shaped to correspond with said first male dovetail portions and being disposed at said second lateral sides at locations corresponding to those of said first male dovetail portions on said first lateral sides; said first dovetail recesses and said first male dovetail portions on one of said first lateral sides of said base body of one of said load supports interlocking removably and respectively with said second male dovetail portions and said second dovetail recesses on one of said second lateral sides of said base body of an adjacent one of said load supports.
 10. The modular carrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein said base body of each of said load supports has four corner portions disposed respectively at junctions of said first and second lateral sides.
 11. The modular carrier as claimed in claim 10, wherein: a first one of said corner portions is a recessed portion that extends from an endmost one of said first male dovetail portions on one of said first lateral sides to an endmost one of said first male dovetail portions on the other of said first lateral sides; a second one of said corner portions is a recessed portion that extends from an endmost one of said second male dovetail portions on one of said second lateral sides to an endmost one of said second male dovetail portions on the other of said second lateral sides; and each of third and fourth ones of said corner portions is a recessed portion that extends from another endmost one of said first male dovetail portions on one of said first lateral sides to another endmost one of said second male dovetail portions on one of said second lateral sides.
 12. The modular carrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said load supports further includes a plurality of wheels mounted on said bottom side of said base body.
 13. The modular carrier as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one stacking plate stacked on at least one of said load supports, and a plurality of positioning pins for retaining said stacking plate on said at least one of said load supports.
 14. The modular carrier as claimed in claim 13, wherein said stacking plate has a construction identical to that of said load supports.
 15. The modular carrier as claimed in claim 14, wherein: said base body of each of said load supports has a plurality of pinholes formed through said top and bottom sides, each of said pin holes having a large-diameter upper hole portion, a small-diameter lower hole portion, and an annular shoulder between said upper and lower hole portions; each of said positioning pins having a stop portion that is disposed on said shoulder of a respective one of said pin holes, an insert portion that extends from said stop portion into said lower hole portion of the respective one of said pin holes, and a coupling portion that extends from said stop portion to engage removably said stacking plate.
 16. The carrier as claimed in claim 15, wherein said pin holes are arranged proximate to said first and second lateral sides of said base body, adjacent ones of said pin holes having a uniform spacing therebetween.
 17. The carrier as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said load supports further includes a plurality of anchor members for fastening said base body to a surface.
 18. The carrier as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one riser having said base body of at least one of said load supports mounted removably thereon.
 19. The carrier as claimed in claim 18, wherein said base body of each of said load supports has a plurality of pin holes formed through said top and bottom sides, said riser having a top side formed with a plurality of positioning pins that are inserted removably into said pin holes in said base body of said at least one of said load supports. 